Mechanism for removing ink from ink containers

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for discharging ink from an ink container in combination with a plunger comprising in one instance a flexible O-ring which is forced by the plunger to engage the sides of an ink container and comprising in another instance the combination of a spring means and an O-ring for engaging the sides of an ink container which is tapered.

[451 Oct. 1,1974

United States Patent [1 1 Gegenheimer et a1.

[54] MECHANISM FOR REMOVING INK FROM 3,100,648 8/1963 Lee et 277/163 INK CONTAINERS [75] Inventors: Harold W. Gegenheimer, Darien;

Primary ExaminerLouis R. Prince Andrew Stad, Stamford, both Assistant Examiner-Robert I. Smith Conn- Attorney, Agent, or FirmMorgan, Finnegan, Durham [73] Assignee: Baldwin-Gegenheimer Corporation, & Pme

Stamford, Conn.

[22] Filed: Oct. 24, 1972 [21] Appl. No: 299,935

ABSTRACT A mechanism for discharging ink from an ink container in combination with a plunger comprising in one instance a flexible O ring which is forced y the 377/32 plunger to engage the sides of an ink container and [58] Field of Search........

comprising in another instance the combination of a spring means and an O-ring for engaging the sides of an ink container which is tapered.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1,517,593 12/1924 Slate.....................................92/193 MENIEU BET Y 1974 SHIN EN 2 MECHANISM FOR REMOVING INK FROM INK CONTAINERS GENERAL DESCRIPTION This invention relates to an apparatus for removing ink from an ink container in a manner which insures that all of the ink is removed from the container and which substantially reduces the likelihood of contaminating the plunger.

In the printing industry, it is frequently necessary to replenish the supply of ink to the ink fountain of a printing press. In some instances, the ink cans are relatively small and in other instances the containers are considerably larger. Removing the ink from such containers can be a time consuming task which causes substantial contamination of the plunger. Most frequently, the ink is removed by placing a hole in the bottom of the container and utilizing a plunger to force the ink from the container. This procedure, although simple, has several drawbacks.

Thus, the ink cans are made by different manufacturers and are not so precisely manufactured that the diameter of the containers is the same for each size of can. Instead, there is a variation in the diameter of the container so that a precise snug fit with the plunger is not always possible. Where the fit is not precise, ink can flow between the plunger and .the sides of the container resulting in loss of ink and causing ink to be deposited on the plunger. The plunger becomes contaminated with such ink and it is necessary to remove the same from the plunger which is a time consuming and messy task.

In other instances, particularly where the ink containers are of a larger size, the sides of the container are not straight but are tapered instead. Thus, the diameter at the open end of the container is larger than the diameter at the closed end of the container. In such'instances, it is apparent that the plunger, which has a uniform diameter, cannot be in intimate contact with sides of the ink drum and therefore cannot force all the ink from the drum. It is then required that the ink be removed from the drum manually or there will be a considerable waste of ink.

In accordance with the invention, means are provided whereby it is assured that all of the ink will be removed from the ink container and the plunger will be protected against contamination.

The present invention includes in both embodiments means for assuring a sealing tit between the plunger and the side walls of the ink container. In accordance with this invention, a plunger is adapted to be in contact with a contracting means which contracts by reason of contact with the plunger to engage the sides of the ink container. In one embodiment, this means comprises an O-ring which is radially expandable and which when in the expanded condition can engage the side walls of the ink container and thereby prevent ink from either flowing between the plunger and the drum side walls or from being left in the container.

In another embodiment, which is particularly useful in connection with larger size ink containers, an Oring is used in combination with a garter spring.

In both forms of the invention, the plunger during its downward path of travel will cause the expanding means to expand and go into contact with the sides of the ink container to thus insure that all of the ink is discharged from the ink container. Furthermore, since the expanding means is in contact with the container sides, ink cannot go between the expanding means and the container sides to contaminate the plunger.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of this in vention to provide a new and improved means for removing ink from an ink container.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means for insuring that all of the ink is removed from an ink container despite variations in the: diameter of the ink container.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a means for removing ink from an ink container which substantially eliminates the plunger from becoming contaminated.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings reference characters are used throughout to designate the same elements:

In the Drawings FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing in full line the position of the plunger at the beginning of the downward stroke and showing in dotted lines the position of the plunger at the bottom of the container.

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view taken along line 22 with certain parts broken away.

FIG. 3 is a plan view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. I with certain parts broken away.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 0 FIG. 4.

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a container 2 having tapered sides 4. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the diameter of the container is larger at the open end than at the closed end. As shown in FIG. I, the mechanism includes a plunger hub 6 to which is attached a plunger top plate 8 and a plunger bottom plate 10. The plunger top and bottom plates are attached to the plunger so as to be removable therefrom, and asshown, are attached by screw means 12 and 45. It will be noted that the top plate 8 extends from the hub a distance greater than the bottom plate 10, thus forming a recess. The plunger plates are separated by spacers 14 held in position by screws 16. Surrounding the spacers 14 are rubber seals 18. t

In accordance with this invention contracting means are provided to maintain continuous contact with the sides of the container.

As embodied herein, the contracting means includes a garter spring 20 made of any convenient spring material which is located in the space between the top and bottom plunger plates. Adjacent the garter spring is an O-ring 22. The O-ring can be made of any convenient rubber or plastic material.

In order that the O-ring can expand and contract, it is split as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with a collar 24 holding the split ends of the O-ring together. In FIG. 2, the O-ring is shown in its expanded position and in FIG. 3 the O-ring is shown in its contracted position. To maintain the parts free from contamination there is provided a plastic sheet 25 which extends across the container to protect the plunger parts from ink contamination.

In operation, the garter spring 20 and O-ring 22 are in their expanded position when the plunger begins its descent as shown in full line, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The garter spring thus has forced the O-ring into engagement with the side wall of the container. As the plunger descends, the outward pressure of the garter spring causes the O-ring to be maintained in engagement with the side walls of the ink container. As can be seen in FIG. 3, when the plunger has descended to the bottom of the container thus forcing all of the ink through the outlet 26, the O-ring is in its contracted position.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. This embodiment of the invention is particularly adapted for use with ink containers where the sides of the container are straight although the diameter of such ink containers may range from container to container.

In this form of the invention, the plunger hub 30 is attached to a plunger plate 32 by screw means 34. The plunger plate 32 is a one-piece member which is cut away or inwardly tapered at its outer end 36. The cutaway or tapering of the outer portion of the plunger forms a pocket or recess which can receive an O-ring 40. The O-ring can be made of any convenient rubber or plastic material.

This form of the invention also includes a plastic sheet 42 as described above which protects the plunger parts from contamination.

As can be seen in the full and dotted lines of FIG. 5, the descent of the plunger to cause ink discharge through discharge vent 44 will force the O-ring radially outwardly and into continuous engagement with the side walls of the container.

The combination of the tapered end of the plunger and the flexible O-ring insures continuous contact with the sides of the ink container even though there may be slight variations in the diameter of such containers.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for removing ink from containers having varying dimensions and a discharge aperture therein, comprising:

a. a reciprocal plunger having an outside diameter approximately equal to the inside diameter of said ink container;

b. a recess on said plunger located at the bottom and at the outer periphery of said plunger;

0. flexible means positioned within said outside d. said flexible means being radially expandable in response to the resistance of the ink so as to be maintained in sealing engagement with the side walls of the ink container as the plunger descends to force the ink from the ink container thereby causing discharge of the ink from the ink container through said aperture; and

e. a flexible sheet-like material positioned between the plunger and the ink to protect the ink from contamination.

2. A device for removing ink from containers having tapered side walls and a discharge aperture therein comprising:

a. a reciprocal plunger having an outsie diameter approximately equal to the inside diameter of said ink container;

b. said plunger having a pair of spaced apart plates forming a recess, therebetween, at the outer periphery of said plunger;

c. flexible means positioned within said recess, said flexible means comprising an inner garter spring and an outer O-ring said flexible means being radially expandable in response to the resistance of the ink so as to be maintained in sealing engagement with the side walls of the ink container as the plunger descends to force the ink from the container thereby causing discharge of the ink from said ink container through said aperture.

3. A device for removing ink from a container having a discharge aperture therein comprising:

a. a reciprocal plunger having an outside diameter approximately equal to the inside diameter of said ink container;

b. said plunger having a tapered outer portion forming a recess in the outer periphery of said plunger;

said ink container through said aperture. 

1. A device for removing ink from containers having varying dimensions and a discharge aperture therein, comprising: a. a reciprocal plunger having an outside diameter approximately equal to the inside diameter of said ink container; b. a recess on said plunger located at the bottom and at the outer periphery of said plunger; c. flexible means positioned within said outside d. said flexible means being radially expandable in response to the resistance of the ink so as to be maintained in sealing engagement with the side walls of the ink container as the plunger descends to force the ink from the ink container thereby causing discharge of the ink from the ink container through said aperture; and e. a flexible sheet-like material positioned between the plunger and the ink to protect the ink from contamination.
 2. A device for removing ink from containers having tapered side walls and a discharge aperture therein comprising: a. a reciprocal plunger having an outsie diameter approximately equal to the inside diameter of said ink container; b. said plunger having a pair of spaced apart plates forming a recess, therebetween, at the outer periphery of said plunger; c. flexible means positioned within said recess, said flexible means comprising an inner garter spring and an outer O-ring said flexible means being radially expandable in response to the resistance of the ink so as to be maintained in sealing engagement with the side walls of the ink container as the plunger descends to force the ink from the container thereby causing discharge of the ink from said ink container through said aperture.
 3. A device for removing ink from a container having a discharge aperture therein comprising: a. a reciprocal plunger having an outside diameter approximately equal to the inside diameter of said ink container; b. said plunger having a tapered outer portion forming a recess in the outer periphery of said plunger; c. flexible means positioned within said recess; d. said flexible means comprising a radially expandable O-ring so as to be maintained in sealing engagement with the side walls of the ink container in response to the resistance of the ink as the plunger descends to force the ink from the container thereby causing discharge of the ink from said ink container through Said aperture. 